Ireland coach Amber Whiteley wants Liverpool job on permanent basis

POOL BOUND: Assistant coach Amber Whiteley during a Republic of Ireland women's training session. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile.

New Ireland assistant coach Amber Whiteley is to complete the season as interim manager of Liverpool and harbours ambitions of being upgraded to permanent boss.

Matt Beard’s second stint with the Reds was halted by the club hierarchy this week. The Pool impressively finished fourth in the Women’s Super League last season but sit seventh this term after just four wins in 14 games.

Whiteley had previously served as interim manager for the Reds during the second half of the 2020-21 season and will resume those duties for Sunday’s WSL trip to struggling Crystal Palace, who have also sacked their manager, Laura Kaminski.

Club captain Niamh Fahey has returned from injury but her compatriot Leanne Kiernan remained sidelined from the knock which forced her to withdraw from Ireland’s opening Uefa Nations League double header against Turkey (1-0) and Slovenia (0-4).

“It’s been a quick turnaround so, if I’m being completely honest, my only thought is preparing for Crystal Palace this Sunday,” said Whiteley on Friday.

“It’ll most likely be until the end of the season – that’s the indication I’ve been given – but the recruitment process has already started.

“I’ll put my name in the hat. The biggest thing I took away from the previous interim spell was that I was capable of doing the job.

“But having worked with Matt, I’m in a far better spot in terms of being able to take the team forward.”

Whiteley was drafted onto the staff of new Ireland manager Carla Ward for that international window and it remains to be seen if her upgraded responsibilities at club level prevent her double-jobbing.

Ireland face basement side Greece on April 4 and 8, the first match away in Crete before the return in Tallaght.

The final double-header comes after the WSL season ends, away to Turkey on May 30 and home to Slovenia on June 3.